Several scientific breakthroughs made in 2016

From the moment that Einstein’s theory of gravity was proven when two black holes slammed together, to the discovery of a region of space where the temperature is right for liquid water, and by extension, life, 2016 was full of scientific breakthroughs.

The announcement confirmed Einstein’s century-old theory of gravity and while it put the Ligo team on course for a Nobel Prize, perhaps more importantly, it opened up the possibility for scientists to build gravitational wave observatories that can be used to look back at the birth of the universe.

Another astronomical discovery occurred at the European Southern Observatory in Chile when changes in the light coming from Proxima Centauri, the star nearest to the sun. After an Earth-sized planet was observed pulling the red dwarf around, astronomers were thrilled to realize that the newly discovered world lay in the star’s habitable zone, where the temperature is right for liquid water, and therefore, life.

On planet Earth, meanwhile, scientists made another discovery - the healing benefits of magic mushrooms, which they found could lift severe depression. The discovery begs the question could that currently illegal drug, like marijuana, gain footing for legalization in the future?

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Texas astronomers announced a new discovery this week. According to Marfa Public Radio, scientists in the Lone Star State recently found that dying stars display huge outbursts as they decay. This phenomenon, characterized by hot, bright flashes, hasn’t been seen in stars like these before. Most dying stars end up as white dwarves, which pulsate like a heartbeat or vibrate rhythmically like a ringing bell.